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Ottr Catlzolic Heritage in Texas
their word. If they persisted in committing abuses, all gifts to their people were to be suspended, and they were to be treated as enemies. 34 In the spring of 1800, a large group of Comanches, two hundred and eighty warriors, all bedecked in war paint, arrived in San Antonio. The fears of the settlers were allayed by the assurance that they were not going to molest Spaniards. They explained that they were engaged in a campaign against the Lipans. Chief Soxas, well-known Comanche leader in northeast Texas, informed the governor that his people preferred to come to San Antonio for their gifts rather than wait for them at Nacogdoches. 35 Tlze policy of appeasement and its cost. Unable to reduce the various tribes in Texas by force, the Spaniards were obliged to adopt a policy of appeasement. There was only one way in which to keep the natives from stealing and raiding the settlements: giving them in a reasonable amount the goods they coveted. There was no other choice. But such a policy is always fatal. The recipient of favors, convinced of the impo- tency of the donor to refuse, becomes emboldened and constantly increases his demands; mutual respect is lost; insolence replaces gratitude; and the result is deeply rooted hatred rather than friendship between the parties. An idea of the goods desired by the natives and the amount generally consumed, may be obtained in part from a list prepared by Bernardino Fernandez, Indian agent of Nacogdoches. On January 16, 1795, he received in San Antonio for distribution among the northern tribes: three bolts of blue and red cloth, eighteen blankets (six fine and twelve common), four uniforms (two red and two blue) trimmed with braid for Indian chiefs, one hundred forty-seven varas of ribbon of various colors, eight pounds of vermilion, eight bundles of tobacco (about fifty pounds each), six dozen knives, one thousand needles, one hundred eight pairs of scissors, twelve hoes, one hundred awls, twelve large axes, twelve hatchets, twenty-four small bells, fifty-four mirrors, forty-two dozen jingles, four bundles of beads (all colors), seven pounds steel wire, one pound gold wire, one hundred combs, twelve rifles, seventy-five pounds powder, one hundred fifty pounds of lead bullets, one hundred flints for gunlocks, one hundred gun rods, and seven bundles of burlap sacks. It is to be noted that flints for guns, powder, and lead were included. The
U/bid. 35 Pedro Nava to Governor Elguezabal, April 14, 1800. Bexar Arcltives.
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